Selective Media Rendering via Combined File Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital media content protection schemes often limit usage applications and consumer choices due to proprietary formats and require communication with external authorities for license validation, leading to potential usage delays and frustration.
Innovation Solution
A combined media file structure that includes both consumer-desired content and advertising, where the advertising can be suppressed based on user licenses, allowing rendering by either special or standard playback programs, and enabling revenue generation through license fees or advertising revenue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proprietary format protection schemes are used, then content provider compensation is ensured, but consumer choices and application versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The media file is segmented into multiple tracks, with the first track containing the protected content and the second track containing advertising content. This segmentation allows the content to be delivered in a single file while enabling selective rendering of different tracks based on license terms, thus maintaining consumer choice without compromising content protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The playback program is designed to handle multiple types of content delivery models within a single system. It can render content with advertising, content without advertising, and content with conditional access, all through the same playback program. This universality eliminates the need for multiple proprietary formats while ensuring content provider compensation through license enforcement.
2Reliability
If DRM systems communicate with external authorities for license validation, then content protection is strengthened, but usage delays and consumer frustration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The license validation and content preparation are performed in advance before the consumer attempts to use the content. The playback program checks the license status and prepares the appropriate rendering mode (with or without advertising) before playback begins. This preliminary action eliminates delays during actual content usage while maintaining strong content protection through pre-validation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple content versions are provided, then consumer choice is improved, but device complexity and content management increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple content versions (with advertising, without advertising, different license conditions) are merged into a single media file by organizing them as separate tracks. The playback program selectively renders appropriate tracks based on the consumer's license, eliminating the need to manage multiple separate files while maintaining all content variations. This reduces device complexity significantly.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of techniques for distributing and rendering media content are provided. In response to a request for a first media file, a combined media file is generated having first and second segments that together include data from the first media file and from a second media file. The combined media file is then provided to a player module operable to render only data from the first media file during a first operating mode, and operable to render data from both the first and second media files during a second operating mode. For example, the first media file may be a music file, and the second media file an advertisement. A consumer may play the music portion without special software or a license, but the advertisement will be rendered as well. Alternatively, the consumer may purchase a license and use special playback software to render the music without the advertisement.